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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

WMO Climatological Standard Normals for 1991-2020 (NCEI Accession 0253808)

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The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Climatological Standard Normals are a large suite of data products that provide information about typical climate conditions for thousands of locations across the world. Normals act both as a ruler to compare today’s weather and tomorrow’s forecast, and as a predictor of conditions on a calendar basis. The Normals are calculated for a uniform 30-year period, and consist of monthly averages and statistics of temperature, precipitation, and other climatological variables observed in all member countries. Member countries follow a standard set of methods for performing these calculations, WMO No.1203. The Normals are generated every 10 years in keeping with the needs of our users and the requirements of the WMO. These data allow travelers to pack the right clothes, farmers to plant the best crop varieties, and utilities to plan for seasonal energy usage. Many other important economic decisions that are made beyond the predictive range of standard weather forecasts are either based on or influenced by climate Normals. Finally, they are used most commonly in broadcast meteorology. These valuable data are stored by the World Data Center for Meteorology - Asheville.
  • Cite as: WMO Member Nations (2023). WMO Climatological Standard Normals for 1991-2020 (NCEI Accession 0253808). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0253808. Accessed [date].
gov.noaa.nodc:0253808
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Distribution Formats
  • Originator data format
Ordering Instructions Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
+1-301-713-3277
NCEI.Info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Time Period 1991-01-01 to 2020-12-31
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180
East: 180
South: -90
North: 90
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2023-08-01
  • revision: 2024-06-12
Data Presentation Form Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Data Update Frequency As needed
Supplemental Information
Submission Package ID: LNGHHU

In this accession, NCEI has archived multiple versions of these data. The latest (and best) version of these data has the largest version number.
Purpose This dataset is available to the public for a wide variety of uses including scientific research and analysis.
Use Limitations
  • accessLevel: Public
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: WMO Member Nations (2023). WMO Climatological Standard Normals for 1991-2020 (NCEI Accession 0253808). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0253808. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors
  • WMO Member Nations
Resource Providers
Points of Contact
  • Peer Hechler
    World Meteorological Organization, Climate Monitoring and Policy Services Division
  • Sarah Diouf
    World Meteorological Organization, Regional Climate Prediction Services Division
Publishers
Theme keywords NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS WMO_CategoryCode
  • climatology
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords Provider Data Types
  • Vapor Pressure
Data Center keywords NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
Instrument keywords NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
Place keywords NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords Provider Place Names
  • Global
Keywords NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: WMO Member Nations (2023). WMO Climatological Standard Normals for 1991-2020 (NCEI Accession 0253808). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0253808. Accessed [date].
Access Constraints
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Fees
  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • 2023-08-01T14:07:45Z - NCEI Accession 0253808 v1.1 was published.
  • 2023-10-13T20:52:55Z - NCEI Accession 0253808 was revised and v2.2 was published.
    Rationale: Updates were received for this dataset. These updates were copied into the data/0-data/ directory of this accession. These updates may provide additional files or replace obsolete files. This version contains the most complete and up-to-date representation of this archival information package. All of the files received prior to this update are available in the preceding version of this accession.
  • 2024-05-28T17:37:29Z - NCEI Accession 0253808 was revised and v3.3 was published.
    Rationale: Updates were received for this dataset. These updates were copied into the data/0-data/ directory of this accession. These updates may provide additional files or replace obsolete files. This version contains the most complete and up-to-date representation of this archival information package. All of the files received prior to this update are available in the preceding version of this accession.
  • 2024-06-12T02:19:09Z - NCEI Accession 0253808 was revised and v4.4 was published.
    Rationale: Updates were received for this dataset. These updates were copied into the data/0-data/ directory of this accession. These updates may provide additional files or replace obsolete files. This version contains the most complete and up-to-date representation of this archival information package. All of the files received prior to this update are available in the preceding version of this accession.
Output Datasets
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • 141 Countries/Territories provided 1991-2020 Normals data for their respective Nation's stations to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 2022-2023. The WMO performed initial quality control before transferring the files to the NCEI/World Data Center for Meteorology where additional quality control and processing were performed. The relevant metadata, descriptive information, and documentation are included along with the data files in the archive package.
Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument
  • anemometer
  • barometer
  • ceilometer
  • pyranometer
  • rain gauge
  • thermistor
  • thermometer
Last Modified: 2024-06-12T07:58:36Z
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